POKEMON BLACK AND WHITE WALKTHROUGH

The Shadow Triad

Once you leave Icirrus Gym, Cheren and Bianca will be waiting for you again. Rather than battling, for once, Cheren asks if he's changed since the start of the journey. Bianca announces that she's going to visit the Pokemon Fan Club; before she can say anything else, Brycen comes out of his Gym and demands that some people show themselves, triggering a few Team Plasma members, "The Shadow Triad," to phase into view. They announce that Ghetsis wants you to come to Dragonspiral Tower, which is where N also awaits. Cheren and Brycen immediately leave for the Tower and Bianca, while waiting around, decides to go as well. For now, heal your team at the Pokemon Center, and you can also bring a Pokemon who knows Strength if you'd like a minor shortcut in the upcoming dungeon, although it's not mandatory. Follow Brycen and Cheren.

Dragonspiral Tower is actually immediately north of Icirrus City, with no Routes between the two. However, there is still some tall grass between Icirrus and the Tower proper that includes repeats like Tranquill, Deerling, Vanillite and Cubchoo. Two new Pokemon are also here: Druddigon and Mienfoo. Druddigon is the first Dragon-type of the Unova Region, and is somewhat useful due to that typing, but it's also probably the single worst fully evolved Dragon-types in terms of stats. Mienfoo is a Fighting-type ermine; while it evolves quite late, its evolution Mienshao has good Attack and Speed as well as the interesting exclusive combo of U-Turn and Regenerator, an ability that lets it recover 1/3 of its health upon switching out.

There's also an area here that can be accessed only during the game's winter months, as a large snow bank piles around the land growth that contains the Icirrus Gym. Climb up here to find some more Double Battle grass; this patch contains Vanillite, Deerling and Cubchoo's evolutions Vanillish, Sawsbuck and Beatric. A Nugget is just north of this grass, so grab that, return to the low ground, and go north to meet Cedric Juniper. He'll explain that Team Plasma has broken into the tower, which stood before the Unova Region formed, and that Brycen and Cheren have followed after them. Bianca offers to be Cedric's bodyguard as they hang out at the entrance while you go in after Brycen and Cheren. Juniper also gives you a piece of Old Gateau, which is essentially a Full Heal in function. Continue into the area.

In the next section is a bridge and a Plasma Grunt who says nothing important. Before heading into the Tower proper, however, you can use Surf to cross the water east of the bridge. This moat is the first place where you should encounter wild Basculin, a piranha-like Water-type who doesn't evolve and is mostly notable for its two forms: a Red-Striped form exclusive to White and a Blue-Striped form that only Black players can find. Far more useful Water-types have already been available by this point, however. You can also encounter Basculin through special tiles, similar to the shaking grass or dirt clouds - while Surfing, these are triggered by little bubbles in the water as seen above.

Surf east until you see some land, where you can fight a male Ace Trainer's Vanillish and Galvantula and a female Ace Trainer's Cubchoo, Darmanitan and Leavanny. In between the two Ace Trainers is TM63 - Embargo, a Dark-type support move that blocks the use of all items for five turns. Finally, in the water to the west of the female is a hidden Heart Scale near a structure of the Tower; grab that, return to the bridge and enter the Tower.

On the first floor of the Tower, you'll encounter the two new Pokemon from outside, Druddigon and Mienfoo, as well as a new Pokemon: the Ghost/Ground-type Golett, who has several immunities due to its typing, and its evolution, Golurk, has very good Attack but mediocre to low other stats. Golett is also the only Pokemon who appears on the second floor, making this area a good place to get Attack EVs. The ground floor is very straightforward, so just head toward the northeast corner for some ominous rumbling and an unexpected instance of player character dialogue before going upstairs.

Cheren will point out that you can walk on columns, including the one next to him that has a Stardust on it. There's also a Hyper Potion under an archway to the northwest. If you have Strength, push the boulder aside and follow Cheren upstairs; if you don't, go across the columns near the Hyper Potion to reach the stairs. The remaining floors of Dragonspiral Tower do not have wild battles, although there's plenty of Team Plasma battles coming up. The third floor, however, only has a minor puzzle; take the middle path through to reach the Shiny Stone, which evolves Minccino into Cinccino. Return to the beginning and take the lower path to get the other side of the room and its exit.

On the fourth floor, you'll find a large group of Plasma Grunt surrounding Cheren and Brycen, who says they'll hold off the large group surrounding them. Take the path to the south and follow it to fight a male Plasma Grunt's Watchog, a female's Liepard, a second male's Scraggy, a second female's Liepard duo and a third male's Watchog, Scraggy and Krokorok. Far right of the fifth and final Plasma Grunt is a Dragon Fang, which is the held item that increases the power of Dragon-type moves, so grab that and head upstairs. The fifth floor is a giant spiral room that lacks both wild Pokemon and Trainer battles, so feel free to explore the room to find a Star Piece, Stardust and Revive. The individual spiral tracks are blocked off by walls at certain points, but it shouldn't be too hard to navigate to the items and the white staircase to the next floor.

The sixth floor of Dragonspiral Tower is another simplistic maze filled with Team Plasma Grunts. As you walk ahead, the Tower will rumble, prompting your character to say "It's shocking!" and note that something is on the top floor. Continue ahead, grabbing the Max Elixir in the corner, and then proceed left to find another of the Seven Sages, Giallo, talking to some Grunts. When he notices you, his four Grunts will swarm and battle you: a male who has Watchog and Krokorok; another with just a Krokorok; a female who uses Trubbish and Liepard; and a third male who has only Watchog. After defeating all four, they'll back off and you let reach the stairs to the top floor.

On the top floor, you'll find that N has befriended the Legendary Pokemon, Reshiram (White) or Zekrom (Black), and plans to use it to become the Pokemon Champion and end the slavery of Pokemon in the world. He also conveniently points out that, if you'd like to stop him, you should befriend his Pokemon's counterpart, which is the version mascot of your version. He predicts that you will meet the version mascot and befriend it, leading to a showdown between you both, and finally explains that you need to find Reshiram in the form of the Light Stone or Zekrom in the form of the Dark Stone.

After N flies away on his Legendary friend, Brycen and Cheren will come and bring you back to the entrance, meeting up with Cedric and Bianca. As the five you of talk, Alder will approach and explain that N's Legendary has used its elemental power to devastate Unova in the past; therefore, it's necessary that you try to befriend its counterpart, like N wanted. To do this, he suspects that you might find answers if you visit the Relic Castle, which is the abandoned castle that you might have seen if you went through the Desert Resort earlier in the game. Brycen and Cedric decide to explore Dragonspiral Tower again, while Cheren and Alder leave for Relic Castle, and Bianca sits around giving you directions rather than doing anything at all. So, do what she says and go back to Route 4 and the Desert Resort.

If you've been through Desert Resort already, you should know you way back to Relic Castle. If you skipped it earlier in the game, please read through the middle of part four to catch up. Regardless, the entrance that you want is the one surrounded by the Zen Darmanitan statues, and Cheren will meet up with you as you approach it. As a reminder, you'll get sucked into the sand pits here if you try to run near them, so walk through both to reach the blonde girl with pigtails and a staircase to the basement that was previously inaccessible. (For those who skipped this place earlier, this blonde girl also gives you either the Plume or Cover Fossils to resurrect Archen or Tirtouga, respectively.)

Down here you'll meet another one of the Seven Sages of Team Plasma, Ryoku, who just says that Ghetsis wants Team Plasma to test your power and wants you to keep going. Defeat the male Plasma Grunt's Watchog and two Krokorok and fall through the pit to reach the next area, which has a Max Potion to the south and a male Plasma Grunt with Scraggy and Watchog to the left. This is B2F, and the wild Pokemon become stronger, although they're still underleveled Krokorok and Cofagrigus, who are the evolved forms of Sandile and Yamask respectively. Walk around the sand pool near the male Grunt - if you fall, you can just navigate the floor below to get back upstairs - and defeat the female Grunt's Garbodor. Sneak past the pit to reach TM30 - Shadow Ball, which is one of the best Ghost-type Special moves, and then let yourself be pulled into the nearby sand to continue.

When you land downstairs in B3F, run south and let yourself be pulled into the quicksand, as this is the only way to reach a path on B4F that has a Sun Stone, which evolves Cottonee and Petilil into Whimsicott and Lilligant. You'll also land on a spot that has a hidden Super Potion. After getting the Sun Stone, go up two flights of stairs to reach the room with the Shadow Ball TM, at which point you can go down the sand again to get back to B3F. This time, go left and fight the male Plasma Grunt's Krokorok, at which point you can walk south to reach the Max Revive item ball. Next, slowly work your way west, across the two sand pits, to fight the female Plasma Grunt and her Liepard and pair of Trubbish. Tiptoe around the perimeter of the whirlpool here to reach a PP Up in the far corner. While there are several pits in this room, you want to sink through the one closest to this PP Up.

You should land in a closed off section of the room with the Sun Stone, near a duo of Plasma Grunts, whom you naturally have to fight before continuing through. Like essentially all of their peers, the male has a Watchog and Scraggy, while his female companion has Liepard and Trubbish. After going downstairs, you'll see Alder and Ghetsis facing off, and then Cheren will appear out of ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE behind you. Ghetsis and Alder talk for awhile in a conversation that boils down to N choosing you to befriend your version's mascot to fight him and determine the fate of all Trainers' Pokemon; Ghetsis also points out that one of Alder's Pokemon had died of an illness in the past. Ghetsis leaves, and Alder decides that he must return to the Pokemon League to battle N as the Champion.

Nacrene City

The three of you return outside, without the Light/Dark Stone, at which point Juniper calls on the Xtransceiver asking you to come to Nacrene Museum immediately. Alder flies there at once, while Cheren stays behind to look through the Castle again; naturally, you need to follow Alder. Once you get back to Nacrene, you'll find Alder, Cedric, Juniper and Bianca all waiting for you outside of the Museum. Lenora will exit the Museum with the Light Stone (in Black) or the Dark Stone (in White), which is one of the artifacts that you might have seen in the Museum earlier. Alder has you confirm that, if Lenora gives you the Stone, you'll have to fight N in Alder's absence, as if this game would really give you a choice in this matter anyway. Alder advises you to travel to Opelucid City, since the Gym Leader specializes in Dragon-type Pokemon, and flies away.

Now that the story has moved along, you should Fly back to Icirrus City, as Opelucid City is to the east here. Go right from the Pokemon Center until you see the large windmill near the City's giant puddle, and then north to reach Route 8. Much like in Icirrus City, Route 8 has large puddles of water due to excessive rain, and walking through these puddles will trigger battles again Shelmet, Palpitoad and Stunfisk. You can also infrequently find Palpitoad's evolution, Seismitoad, while Surfing on those special water bubble tiles. Also, in every season but winter, you can find a hidden Max Elixir just north of the first puddle.

Otherwise, go west and then north to fight a male Pokemon Ranger and his Cubchoo, Palpitoad and Maractus; he'll give you a Pecha Berry after you win. To the Pokemon Ranger's north is Poison Barb, the hold item that boosts Poison-type moves; conveniently, to the Ranger's northeast, at a dead end near a shallow puddle, is TM36 - Sludge Bomb, one of the better Special Poison-type moves. Circle around the trees near the Pokemon Ranger to reach the other side of the path and continue on, including fighting the Parasol Lady's Frillish and Ducklett as well as picking up the Full Heal to her right.

There's two paths to take at this point: the northeast leads to a female Pokemon Ranger, who has a Cinccino and gives you another Pecha Berry when you win; a hidden Full Restore to her northwest (except in winter); an Ultra Ball at the far east end of the path; and entrance to the Moor of Icirrus, which is an optional area. The southeast path leads to a Parasol Lady who will give you TM42 - Facade, a Physical Normal-type move that doubles in Power when the user has a status effect. Nearby are a Fisherman who uses each form of Basculin, a second Parasol Lady who battles with Alomomola, and a third who gives you one hold item per day depending on when you talk to her: Damp Rock in the morning; Heat Rock in the day; Smooth Rock in the evening; and Icy Rock at night. These Rock items extend the length of Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Sandstorm and Hail, respectively.

Regularly Scripted Rival Battle

Just right of the Parasol Ladies is Tubeline Bridge, which leads to Route 9 and Opelucid City. But because it's been entirely too long without a pointless Rival Battle, Bianca shows up to put a stop to this, letting us know that she's thinking hard about what to do with her life. The only notable thing about this battle is that all of her Pokemon are now fully evolved; other than her Starter and her monkey, which should be taken down using the same obvious type advantages as always, she has Musharna and Stoutland, the final evolution of Lillipup. Due to Bianca's movesets, a Dark-type will prevent Musharna from even inflicting damage, Stoutland has little offense against a Rock- or Steel-type, and her monkey should not be a threat to anything ever. Her most powerful Pokemon is her Starter and, as always, it's the one that's weak against your own, so Bianca is a joke once again. She also gives you a Full Restore and hopes you'll beat Team Plasma after the fight.

The only reason to come to the Moor of Icirrus is item hunting, so make sure you have a Pokemon with Strength if you're coming here now. The wild Pokemon found here are essentially the same as those found on Route 8, and the puddles here freeze in the winter, just like in similar areas. Travel northeast to the first Strength boulder and push it into the hole to open a new path. Navigate around the deep water here, picking up the Ultra Ball along the way, to reach a Carbos, a Parasol Lady with each gender of Frillish, and a hidden Max Ether between these two in the non-winter months. After getting all of the items down here, return to the entrance of the Moor and head east.

As you head right, you'll see a Max Revive surrounded by a group of trees, inaccessible during winter; a hidden Nugget also can be found on the left side of these trees, while a Fisherman who uses blue Basculin and Stunfisk is to the south. Further east is a female Pokemon Ranger who has Emolga, Alomomola and Maractus; like her counterparts, she'll give you a useful Sitrus Berry after the battle. From the Ranger, follow the path around and then head back to the Moor's entrance. There's one final place to explore to the north.

The northern section of the Moor splits into two paths fairly early, but the left path only contains a hidden Revive that can found above a small hill, as well as a visible Max Potion located east of the deep water. On the east path, you'll quickly encounter a male Pokemon Ranger who uses Vanillish and Fraxure, and gives you another Sitrus Berry after the fight. Southeast of him is a ledge that takes you back down to the section with the female Pokemon Ranger, with a Big Mushroom hidden here. Instead of hopping the ledge, proceed north, past the male Ranger, to get the last item in the Moor of Icirrus: a Max Elixir. That's all there is to be done in the Moor for now, but it also plays a small role with an event Pokemon later, so return to Route 8 and go east from where you fought Bianca to reach Tubeline Bridge.

Tubeline Bridge

Tubeline Bridge connects Icirrus and Opelucid City, home of Unova's eighth and final Gym. Unlike the previous Bridges, there's a couple of things to address here. A girl running around the middle of the bridge will give you TM43 - Flame Charge, a Physical Fire-type move with mediocre Power that always boosts the user's Speed. At the end of the Bridge, Ghetsis' ninjas will drag you two feet to their leader so he can recap N and Team Plasma's plans and predict that your Legendary Pokemon won't accept you if you lack courage. After this scene, on Friday nights, you can find the Black Empoleon biker gang here; if you refuse to leave, you'll fight a Biker and his Bouffalant, and then have to find the gang's leader, who is the only one who won't drive around you. Beat his Joltik, Scraggy and Krokorok, and he'll rename his gang after your lead Pokemon, at which point you can leave.

As soon as you set foot on Route 9, a nearby Infielder will throw TM56 - Fling at you. This is a Physical Dark-type move that has varying Power and effects depending on the user's hold item, which is thrown at the target. Route 9 contains the Unova's Department Store, named Shopping Mall Nine, as well as several Trainers. Route 9's Pokemon are mostly evolutions of previously found ones, including Garbodor, Duosion (White) and Gothorita (Black), the evolutions of Trubbish, Solosis and Gothita. A new Pokemon found here is Pawniard, a Dark/Steel-type, who evolves into Bisharp; both are based on their respective chess pieces. Pawniard evolves rather late and Bisharp only has two good stats, Attack and Defense, but their typing is unique, Defiant is a decent ability, and it's not a horrible Pokemon for in-game purposes.

As you walk east, you'll encounter Route 9's many Trainers, including: a Biker who has Krokorok and Scraggy; a Roughneck with Krokorok and Garbodor; a Double Battle against a team of Hooligans and their Scraggy; another Biker who uses Pawniard; and a second Roughneck with only one Scraggy, who is next to some vending machines. A respawning, hidden Lemonade can be found in front of the Mall's entrance; south of the second Roughneck is the tall grass. Navigate to the west end of the grassy path to find a hidden Max Ether at a dead end, an HP Up to its right, and a Full Restore to its southeast. Going down the stairs here leads to the Challenger's Cave, which cannot be accessed until after defeating the Elite Four, so return to the main road for now to visit Shopping Mall Nine.

Shopping Mall Nine is an open building with staircases that lead to each register of the Mall. The bottom floor has medicine items, Repels, a Waitress who uses Minccino and Lilligant, and a storage room with a PP Up where you can change between Rotom's appliance forms after beating the Elite Four. The middle section has various Pokeballs, Mail and two TMs: TM15 - Hyper Beam and TM68 - Giga Impact, two super powerful Normal-type moves, the first Special and the latter Physical, that require a turn to recharge; there's also a Rich Boy with a Liepard. Finally, the top floor sells the vitamins and X items, and you can receive a Thunderstone from a Worker near the register. There's also battles against a Waiter's Minccino and Lampent, as well as a Lady's Stoutland; leave the Mall after your purchases and battles, and continue into Opelucid City.

Opelucid City

Opelucid City is unique because its setting changes depending on your version: it's a hi-tech city in Black, but more primitive in White. Regardless, items and key locations are found in the same areas, so either version can follow along here. As you enter the City, you'll meet up with Alder and watch Ghetsis give a speech summarizing the plot so far and Team Plasma's goals yet again. After the crowd disperses, Alder will introduce you to Drayden and Iris, two Dragon-type Trainers who live in Opelucid, although you've already met Iris back in Castelia City. Drayden, meanwhile, is the mayor of Opelucid City. Alder departs for the Pokemon League, so Iris and Drayden bring you to Drayden's house to explain the mythology behind Reshiram and Zekrom, who destroyed Unova in the past, and state that humans and Pokemon must work together.

Despite their knowledge, Iris and Drayden do not know how to summon your version's mascot from its Stone; regardless, they've promised Alder to battle you for Unova's final Badge. In White Version, you'll fight Iris; however, in Black, the Gym Leader is Drayden instead. Not to worry, as the only difference between the two is the genders of their Pokemon. Before leaving, go upstairs and talk to the people at the table for some items: Ring Target, a worthless item that removes the immunities of the holder, and Float Stone, which halves the weight of the holder. Outside, heal south at the Pokemon Center, which has a Max Repel hidden in front of it. In the first house north of the City's western entrance, you can talk to a man inside to receive a Pokemon Musical Prop each day: Gift Box, Fluffy Beard, Big Bag or Scarlet Hat. Far north is the Opelucid City Gym, but let's keep exploring for now.

In the house next to the Gym, talk to the blonde girl to receive a Destiny Knot, which inflicts Attraction on a Pokemon who uses Attract on the holder. Back outside, there's a hidden Ultra Ball just southeast of here, and the next house over contains the Battle House. In White, you'll fight two Triple Battles here; in Black, it'll be Rotation Battles instead. Both games have a male and female Ace Trainer, but their teams of Simisage, Simipour and Simisear or Mienfoo, Elgyem and Pawniard depend on the version; the girl has the monkeys in Black. Finally, in the building south of the Battle House, a woman will tell you about your Pokemon's Effort Value total, and you can get a Cell Battery from the man upstairs if you have a Pokemon that knows Charge and was traded from your opposite version. When an Electric-type attack hits Cell Battery's holder, its Attack raises one stage. Now, return to the Gym.

Opelucid City Gym

For the last time, talk to Clyde to get your free Fresh Water and advice about the Gym's layout, which is dragon-shaped maze with switch-controlled paths. Before continuing, it's important to note that Dragon-types have only two weaknesses and, since you probably don't have any Dragon-type TMs at this point, Brycen's Frost Breath TM should be taught to any Pokemon who can learn it. Walk north to fight the first underling, an male Ace Trainer who has a Fraxure, and follow the path east until you find the female Ace Trainer who has Deino, a Dark/Dragon-type. Go west after fighting her and you should land on a switch that changes the head of a nearby path, at which point you should cross over the dragon's head and go south to fight a male Ace Trainer's two Fraxure.

Once you defeat the second male Ace Trainer, go right and land on the next switch, which straightens out the dragon's head. Run north and follow the path down for your next battle against a female Ace Trainer and her Fraxure. Follow from her left and you'll hit a switch that straightens out a different dragon head; this one, however, is a dead end, so proceed downward and continue on this path to fight a male Veteran who uses one Druddigon. He blocks you from continuing south, so head left and take the first right on this path, as going straight leads nowhere. After turning right, you'll fall onto another pad and make that previous dragon head turn to the right, opening a new lane to take.

Keep going through the maze until you get to a staircase; a male Ace Trainer and his Deino, Fraxure and Druddigon await you at the bottom. Go south after beating him and follow along until hitting the next switch, which moves another dragon's neck into an incomplete path. This is a trap, so what you want to do is run north, making a complete loop around this area to hit the button a second time and move the dragon back to its original location, at which point you may pass and fight the Gym's final female Ace Trainer, who uses Deino and Druddigon. Jumping from the ledge to her right makes the dragon's head move upward, letting you reach the same track loop that had male Veteran; since he's still in your way, turn right just below him and defeat the female Veteran's pair of Fraxure. Head north from her, making a left to hit the last switch of the Gym and then finally reach Drayden or Iris.

For final Gym Leaders, Iris and Drayden are rather underwhelming, as they only have three mediocre Pokemon. Other than genders, Druddigon's ability is the one difference between the two: Drayden's has Rough Skin while Iris's has Sheer Force. All three Pokemon know a Dark-type move and STAB Dragon Tail to force switches, ruining strategies involving stat boosts. They lead with Fraxure, whose Rivalry ability affects its Attack based on the opponent's gender. It knows Dragon Dance to boost its Attack and Speed, as well as Dragon Tail, Assurance and the consistently weak Dragon Rage. Druddigon has four attacking moves, including Revenge, which doubles in power if Druddigon is damaged before its turn; Chip Away, which ignores your defensive buffs; Night Slash, which has a high critical hit rate; and Dragon Tail. Finally, their main Pokemon is Haxorus, Fraxure's evolved form, who runs a Dragon Dance set with Dragon Tail, Assurance and Slash; its ability, Mold Breaker, also negates several of your own abilities.

All three Pokemon are pure Dragon-types, which are weak to only Ice- and Dragon-types. Since your own Dragon-types are disadvantaged here, and Dragon-type moves have been rare so far, Vanillish, Cubchoo and Cryogonal, as well as the Frost Breath TM, are all handy. The Starters' STAB types are all resisted here, but Samurott has the best chance of the three if you used a Heart Scale to teach it Ice Fang back in Mistralton City. Emboar's Head Smash is also one of your best bets to take down Haxorus in one or two hits, despite also wearing down Emboar with recoil. For Fraxure, a Special Attacker of the opposite gender is the best counter, as this hinders Fraxure's Attack to no detriment of your own. Avoid contact moves against Drayden's Fraxure due to Rough Skin, and take it down with your strongest unresisted moves; it is not particularly sturdy. Steel-types are also helpful here for resisting all of Iris and Drayden's attacks but Druddigon's Revenge.

When you defeat Drayden or Iris, you'll receive $5160; TM82 - Dragon Tail, a Physical Dragon-type move with mediocre Power that forces the target to switch out when it hits; and the Legend Badge, which makes all Pokemon obey you regardless of Level and is the last of the eight Badges of the Unova Region!